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China’s Reaction to Trump’s Election Win

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Xinhua Commentary Series: Spotlight on the U.S. Presidential Election

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Wu Guoguang: Xi Jinping’s Reversal of the Course, Will China’s Transition be Peaceful or Marked with Bloodshed?

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Cheng Xiaonong: U.S.-China Strategic Relations Have Crystallized

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People’s Daily Opened Its Official Microblog to Promote the Government’s Opinions

In the early morning on July 22, 2012, after the heaviest storm in Beijing in 61 years, People’s Daily kicked off the official microblog it started for the public. The government-run microblog, which is run by 8 government employees, responds to major incidents and problems more quickly than the People’s Daily print edition and is responsible for interacting with blog users in vivid and touching language. Facing the challenge of the wide spread of the new media, People’s Daily wants to have a say in public opinion. “We cannot hand over microblogs to others. We must take the initiative to speak out and post high quality writings.”

Source: Xinhua, July 31, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/lianzheng/2012-07/31/c_123499223.htm

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

CRN: 60% of the Souvenirs at the London Olympics are from China

On July 29, 2012, China Review News (CRN) reported that Chinese products are trying to compete in the market at the London Olympics. For example, a Beijing company provided about 20,000 square meters of sod. All of the bags that the Netherlands delegation used, as well as all tennis bags and bags for ambulance personnel, were made in Fujian Province. Around 50 million of the flags of all sizes, that were used officially, were made in Zhejiang Province, in addition to paper cups, paper plates, hats, and folding chairs. Other official Olympics products such as bedding supplies, cups, toy cars, pins, clothing, mascot dolls, wrist straps, and key chains were all made in China. In addition, China will provide 60% of all of the souvenirs. 
Source: China Review News, July 29, 2012
http://www.zhgpl.com/doc/1021/8/2/5/102182572.html?coluid=7&kindid=0&docid=102182572&mdate=0729163628
Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Xinhua: China Successfully Tested a New High-Power Rocket Engine

Xinhua reported that the China Aerospace Science and Technology Group successfully tested a 120-ton liquid oxygen kerosene rocket engine. The success of the test meant that China is the second country after Russia to have mastered this new high-power engine technology. The new engine will be key to the planned Long March 5 rocket launch in 2014, as well as to the future manned space projects to the moon. The new engine improves the push capability of the current level by 60% and it can carry a load that is three times that of today’s Long March rockets. The design and implementation of this new engine took one and one-half years. The process of developing this engine also helped push forward technology in other areas, such as new materials, paint, coatings, and new rubber.
Source: Xinhua, July 30, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2012-07/30/c_112563525.htm
Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Xinhua: Vietnam Welcomes Russia Back to Cam Ranh Bay

Xinhua recently reported on Vietnamese President Zhang Jin Chong’s 5-day visit to Russia. In a press conference, Zhang told the Russian media that Vietnam welcomes Russia to set up a vessel repair center in Cam Ranh Bay. Russian President Putin agreed to provide Vietnam with a US$10 billion loan, of which US$8 billion will be for a nuclear power station construction project. The two presidents also agreed that the two countries should eventually establish a partnership in the area of defense. Zhang emphasized that the services provided to Russia at Cam Ranh Bay will not have a military orientation. The Russian Navy Commander in Chief confirmed that there were talks among Russia, Cuba, Seychelles, and Vietnam to build “technical support centers.” Vietnam recently also agreed on a joint-venture with Russia to develop oil fields in the South China Sea. In the 1980s, Cam Ranh Bay was the largest Russian military base outside of Russia. 
Source: Xinhua, July 30, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2012-07/30/c_112563638.htm
Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Minimum Wage Increase Slows Down in 2012

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, at the end of June, the minimum wage was adjusted upwards in 16 provinces and cities. The increase averaged 19.7 percent over 2011. Currently Shen Zhen has the highest monthly minimum wage of 1500 yuan per month, while Beijing has the highest minimum hourly rate of 14 yuan per hour.

According to Su Hainan of the Committee on Labor Compensation of China’s Labor Association, the increase in 2012 was less than the 22 percent increase of 2011 over 2010, but it was still within expectations. Su said, “The standard of the minimum wage is a double edged sword. If it increases too slowly, it will affect worker’s basic living standards, but if it increases too fast, it will have a negative effect on the economy, especially now that we have a labor surplus compared to market demand.”

Currently the standard minimum wage varies greatly between regions; the minimum wage is still determined by each local region. Su observed, “In the long term, the fundamental solution is to resolve the unbalanced economic development between regions by investing more and promoting economic development in those regions that are behind, such as the middle western region.”

Source: Xinhua, July 29, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-07/29/c_123487285.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Xinhua: Non-Party Organizations Applaud Key Messages from Hu’s Recent Speech

On July 23, 2012, Hu Jintao gave a  speech at an event held for provincial department level leaders. Xinhua carried an article reporting on the feedback that the democratic parties and members of non-party organizations in China gave after studying the key messages in the speech. The article asserted that those organizations put their trust in Hu’s leadership in leading the Chinese people to overcome both the serious challenges they face and the complicated and ever changing international environment. The article also reported that these organizations applauded Hu’s direction on walking the socialist development path with Chinese characteristics and the scientific development concept and vowed to be united around the leadership head of the Chinese Communist Party.

Source: Xinhua, July 28, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-07/28/c_112557822.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

RFA: Communist Party Branches in Foreign Enterprises – A New Trend

China Economic Weekly carried an article that was originally from a People’s Daily news report. The report stated that it has become a trend for Communist Party branches to establish themselves in foreign investment enterprises in China. It started with the establishment of a Party branch in Wal-Mart in 2006. After that, more and more foreign enterprises have embraced the trend. Radio Free Asia interviewed Tang Jitian, a lawyer in Beijing on his reaction to the article.

According to Tang Jitian, on the one hand, this is a natural reaction for the Party; it is trying to exercise a tighter grip as it is losing control of society. On the other hand, for foreign companies to allow the establishment of Party branches within the company shows that they have chosen to compromise and give in to the hidden rules because they want to survive in China. “… once these foreign companies get deeply involved in doing business in China, they soon realize that, on the surface, they are dealing with some administrative or legal entities. However, the entity that has the real power and is in control is the Party, especially key personnel as well as different Party organizations.”

Source: Radio Free Asia, July 17, 2012
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/sd-07172012182534.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Hu Jintao: the Party Faces Unprecedented Challenges

On July 23, 2012, Hu Jintao spoke at the opening of a special symposium held for provincial Party leaders. The entire Politburo, including all nine members, attended the opening. In his remarks, Hu stated, “We face unprecedented opportunities as well as unprecedented challenges.” He further indicated that there have been great changes within the Party. “The external risks are unprecedented.” There are many urgent problems that need to be solved.

Source: Xinhua, July 23, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/video/2012-07/23/c_123457270.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics